Evanescent - By Addison Moore Page 0,80

going all the way—as in the tunnels.

Yes, I’m excited. I’m thrilled to think I might see my sister and my mom—maybe yours, too. Anything’s possible, right?

I don’t doubt it. A horrible feeling comes over me at the thought of Wes taking her down to that den of horror. I’d do anything to go with you—to protect you from it all.

I know you would, Coop. She rides her bare foot up my pant leg, and I electrify from her touch. Don’t worry. I can handle whatever’s down there. I kicked Asterion’s ass remember? And we’re going to kick the Counts’ asses, too. We’re a team Coop—you and me.

Makes me wonder where Wes fits in all this.

“Isn’t that right, Mr. Flanders?” Edinger’s voice comes through in perfect clarity, and I expand my chest as if I’ve been paying attention the entire time.

“Yeah, that’s right,” I say, trying to save face.

A round of titters circles the room.

Edinger gives a mock bow. “So you agree that the government would be better off if it were run by one drunken farmer rather than a band of power hungry pigs.”

Shit.

“Right, I mean no. I don’t know which one would work best. I guess it would be like choosing the lesser of two evils.”

Laken warms my ankle once again. What are you wearing tonight?

What would you like me to wear? If she says “nothing,” I might be tempted to comply.

I heard that, and you know it.

“The lesser of two evils?” Edinger nods into my conclusion. “Indeed. Sometimes, Mr. Flanders, there is no other way.”

I’m going to be a cheerleader. She goes on. Original, right? Maybe you should be a football player, and we could have secret themed costumes like Marc Antony and Cleopatra.

I like the idea of having a secret with Laken—something private just between the two of us. Sort of like my bed was for a while.

By the way, my mattress misses you, I say. And, yeah, I’ll be your football player.

Wes can be the ball. I’ll be sure to throw him into the bushes and lose him. Maybe Asterion can wake up and find him.

Cool it, Flanders. Wes happens to be the only portal we have to help our families. Besides, the longer we screw around with getting me inside those tunnels, the longer I’ll be away from your mattress. She rakes her leg over mine like a firebrand before disconnecting.

The idea of Laken wanting to be on my mattress sets my entire body blazing with heat.

Edinger drones on for the next hour regarding power and the common man, how dangerous it is when it falls in the wrong hands—but I keep reverting back to my mattress, and Laken lying over it with nothing but a smile. Laken already has all the power she needs over me, and I can’t wait until she uses—abuses it.

The bell rings, and we rise trying to shake off the mind-numbing boredom we were just subjected to. Laken stretches her limbs as if she had hibernated for years.

“You coming to the party tonight?” She bites her lip, still blushing from the memory of my bed—or at least I hope.

“I don’t know. It’s at Henderson, right? About ten?”

“Yes.” Laken presses her lips together until they’re paper white. “Please come. I’m terrified of wherever the hell he’s taking me, and I’ll feel better just knowing I can see you before and after.”

“I’m taking Marky trick-or-treating.” I strum my fingers along the desk. Marky begged me to ask her to come with us. Marky said she’d die if Laken didn’t help her get ready tonight, but I can’t stand the thought of sucking Laken into my family if she doesn’t want to be there.

“And you think you’re doing this without me?” Her mouth opens, and her pink tongue glistens in the light. It makes me want to cover her lips with mine and dive into that precious window.

“Marky was hoping you’d say that.” My entire body sags with relief.

“And what about you?” She takes a step in until our shoulders touch. Her lids hang low and seductive. Laken has the hottest damn bedroom eyes I have ever seen. “Were you hoping I’d say that? Do you want me there, Coop?”

Her breath rakes against my chin, hot and searing like a nuclear blast.

“I want you with me every second of the day, Laken. And then that will never be enough.”

A loud bang emits from the front as Edinger slaps a stack of papers over his desk.

“Pardon me,” he growls with a manufactured grin. “May